Nearly 1,200 people have starved to death in NHS hospitals because 'nurses are too busy to feed patients'

For every patient who dies from malnutrition, four more have dehydration mentioned on their death certificate

In 2011, 43 patients starved to death and 291 died in a state of severe malnutrition

Department of Health branded the figures 'unacceptable' and said the number of unannounced inspections will increase

As many as 1,165 people starved to death in NHS hospitals over the past four years fuelling claims nurses are too busy to feed their patients.

The Department of Health branded the figures 'unacceptable' and said the number of unannounced inspections by the care watchdog will increase.

According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics following a Freedom of Information request, for every patient who dies from malnutrition, four more have dehydration mentioned on their death certificate.

Critics say nurses are too busy to feed patients and often food and drink are placed out of reach of vulnerable people.

In 2011, 43 patients starved to death and 291 died in a state of severe malnutrition, while the number of patients discharged from hospital suffering from malnutrition doubled to 5,558.